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Important Notice to Staff Undertaking Research Involving Children

The University is committed to the protection and wellbeing of children in accordance with the Children’s Protection Act 1993 (SA), which requires appropriate policies and procedures to be in place to ensure that child-safe environments are established and maintained, and the Australian Aid Program (AusAID) Child Protection Policy.

The Australian Government now requires institutional confirmation that personnel engaging with children as part of Government funded research comply with legislation relating to working with children.

ensure they obtain human research ethics approval for research involving children and adhere to the requirements outlined in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, in particular Chapter 4.2 Children and Young People;

comply with relevant legislation relating to requirements for working with children in the jurisdiction in which they work; and

have complied with relevant legislation in their jurisdictions relating to mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect as required or otherwise defined by state or territory legislation.

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) is considering new draft National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and institutions will be notified of COAG’s decision in relation to these National Principles and what it means for grant activity. In light of this, the University will be reviewing the Child-Safe Environment Policy in 2019.

What to do if you are asked to sign a Statement of Compliance

Australian Government funding bodies may send grant recipients a request to sign a Statement of Compliance in relation to working with children. Research Services and Legal and Risk need to ensure these requests are dealt with appropriately on behalf the University, so if you receive such a request, please forward the Statement of Compliance request to recu@adelaide.edu.au and a member of Research Services will advise what action is required.